I finally decided to break down and buy a calcium reactor set up, hoping that once I get it dialed in, it would save me from needing to spend so much time dosing. I'm also hoping it'll provide calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium at a more constant rate and eliminate peaks and valleys in their concentrations. Unfortunately, in trying to get it set up right, I'm spending 2x - 3x as much time as I would if I was just dosing the tank. LOL
I've already worked through having the lid leak, which was an easy fix just by using some plumber's silicone grease on the o-ring. As obvious as that fix seemed to the other hobbyists and even the reactor's manufacturer once I asked what I was doing wrong, I wish that would have been mentioned in the reactor's instructions (I didn't want to put anything on it that would attack the acrylic or the o-ring). As simple as it was, it would have saved me a couple days of frustration if I would have known that sooner.
Now, I'm having problems with the CO2 delivery system. It has a leak or maybe multiple leaks. In about a week, I burned through an entire 5 lb CO2 tank that I was told should last me several months. I'm using a new Reef Fanatic regulator and installed a new Dennerle CO2 check valve just after the needle valve / solenoid assembly on the regulator in addition to the cheap looking check valve supplied with the reactor (per the reactor's instructions -- it says to use both). While I haven't been able to confirm it, I fear the leak may be at the cheap looking check valve, as it only has push on connections (no crimping screw fittings or clamps).
Does anyone have any tips for leak proofing the CO2 system?
In total, I have 7 connections -- and 7 potential points for it to leak --where the regulator connects to the tank (easy to seal with the washer and teflon tape), the connection at the output of the needle valve, 2 connections on the Dennerle check valve, 2 connections at the cheap looking check valve, the connection to the reactor itself.
I just got a new tank of CO2 today and don't want to burn through it again in another 7 days. I did put the connections I could in soapy water while I still had CO2 pressure last week, but didn't see any of the few I was able to test leaking. Even then, the cheap check valve connections didn't seem to be leaking, but from a visual standpoint, it seems like an obvious place since there's nothing but the push on connection holding the tubing in place.
Any :help: would be appreciated, before I go :y220d: or :angryfire:. Thank you.
I've already worked through having the lid leak, which was an easy fix just by using some plumber's silicone grease on the o-ring. As obvious as that fix seemed to the other hobbyists and even the reactor's manufacturer once I asked what I was doing wrong, I wish that would have been mentioned in the reactor's instructions (I didn't want to put anything on it that would attack the acrylic or the o-ring). As simple as it was, it would have saved me a couple days of frustration if I would have known that sooner.
Now, I'm having problems with the CO2 delivery system. It has a leak or maybe multiple leaks. In about a week, I burned through an entire 5 lb CO2 tank that I was told should last me several months. I'm using a new Reef Fanatic regulator and installed a new Dennerle CO2 check valve just after the needle valve / solenoid assembly on the regulator in addition to the cheap looking check valve supplied with the reactor (per the reactor's instructions -- it says to use both). While I haven't been able to confirm it, I fear the leak may be at the cheap looking check valve, as it only has push on connections (no crimping screw fittings or clamps).
Does anyone have any tips for leak proofing the CO2 system?
In total, I have 7 connections -- and 7 potential points for it to leak --where the regulator connects to the tank (easy to seal with the washer and teflon tape), the connection at the output of the needle valve, 2 connections on the Dennerle check valve, 2 connections at the cheap looking check valve, the connection to the reactor itself.
I just got a new tank of CO2 today and don't want to burn through it again in another 7 days. I did put the connections I could in soapy water while I still had CO2 pressure last week, but didn't see any of the few I was able to test leaking. Even then, the cheap check valve connections didn't seem to be leaking, but from a visual standpoint, it seems like an obvious place since there's nothing but the push on connection holding the tubing in place.
Any :help: would be appreciated, before I go :y220d: or :angryfire:. Thank you.
